Electrodeposition of metal on rotation-bodies.



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ELECTRODEPOSITION OF METAL 0N ROTATION BODIES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 14, I913.

' Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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'0 IIIIIIIIIIIll/IIIII V H. W. BO TZ; ELECTRODEPOSITION 0F METAL ON ROTAUON BODIES; APPLICATION FILED JULY 14.1913.

1,204,398. Patented Nov. 14, 1916;

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APPLICAT ION FILED JULY 14' 1913- Patented Nov; 14, 1916.

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WITNESS s- H. w. B'O'TZ.

ELECTRODEPOSITION 0F METAL 0N ROTATION BODIES APPLICATION FILED JULY 14. I913.

1 ,%%,39& Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QlEl-ETGEO HEINRICH WILHELM 136122, or Lunwmsnaruit-on-rnn-marina, GERMANY.

ELECTRODEPOSITION OFMETAL ON ROTATION BODIES.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HEINRICH WILHELM Bo'rz, a citizen of the German Empire, and resident of Ludwigshafen on the Rhine, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in the Electrodeposition of Metal on Rotation-Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a process for electro-plating rotation bodies, and more particularly for zincing the fellies or rims of wheels, and to apparatus suitable for practising the process.

It has already been proposed to provide a felly which is to receive the tire in a bicycle, motor-car or the like with a coating of zinc instead of one of enamel or varnish. The

usual process of galvanizing in a bath of molten metal has proved little suitable for the purpose in question, while good results have followed zincing by a true galvanic method. The electrolytic zincing can alone come into consideration when it is not desired to zinc all parts of the felly. In practice it is only essential that the inner surfaces and the outer edges of the channel, in fact the parts with which the tire comes in contact, should be z inced. The remaining parts, particularly in so far as they do not lie upon the wooden felly, are advantageously enameled or varnished. Since the enamel or varnish does not adhere better to zinced metal than to that which is not zinced, it is desirable on this ground alone to zinc practically only the parts which come in contact with the tire.

The operation of electrolytically zincingthe felly" presents various difficulties ow ng to the peculiar form of the article to be zinced. For obtaining a uniform deposit it is known to be necessary that an anode of suitable form should be opposed to the felly which serves as the cathode so that at every t part there shall be the same distance between the electrodes. This requirement is most exactly met by a rotation body the profile of a which isequi-distant from that of the felly.

Only those parts of this curved body come into question which are opposite the parts to be zinced, that is to say those parts which fill the ho o o the profile and extend 11 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 114, 31916.

Application filed July 14,, 1913. Serial No. 778,911.

both sides outward somewhat over the lateral curved flanges of the felly. However,

even with this limitation the profile of the inner diameter of the annular anode is smaller than the external diameter of the felly so that it is necessary to cut through 'the ring transversely at one placeat least.

Moreover, the felly has curved flanges on both sides into which the grooves formed by the anode must extend; the anode is therefore broader than the gap between the curved flanges of the felly. To meet this condition by cutting up the anode by circumferential cuts and introducing the strips thus made into the felly would only be to create further difficulty in that the strips would have to'be built up to a single' ring again within the felly. These difficulties are overcome by the present invention by conducting the zincing operation in two stages, that is to say by first zincing one of the grooves and the limiting parts thereofand then zincing the other groove and parts. .Finally, there is the trouble that the felly is not an exact rotation body but always presents certain deviations along various diameters. This objection is set aside by the present invention in that the anode is constructed to have a certain amount of flexibility, that is to say it is not rigid as it would have to be if it- .In the manner which has been set forth,

a practicable anode may be made in two difierent forms at small cost.

The invention'also includes a machine for rotating the felly relatively to the anode, as is necessary in order that the insulating plates which act as distance pieces between the felly and the anode may not be constantly situated in the same position, and thus prevent deposition of zinc on the parts of the felly which they cover. v

The invention is illustrated in the accornpanying drawings.

Figures l and 2 show in cross section and longitudinal section respectively a part of a felly having the anode in position. Fig. 3 is a cross section through a part of'a felly having a modified form of the anode in position. Fig. 4 is adeveloped plan of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through a part of the felly. Fig. 6 shows in elevation and in plan one of the insulating plates. Figs. 7 to 13 illustrate a modification of the anode. Fig. 7 is a cross section through a part of a felly having a second modified form of the anode in position. Fig. 8 is adeveloped plan of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through a part of the felly.

Fig. 10 is 'a cross section through the anode.

Fig. 11 is aplan of the anode before it is in position. Figs. 12 and 13 are an elevation and plan respectively of one ofthe insulating plates. Fig. 14 is a vertical section through the machine constructed according to this invention. Fig. 15 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 16 is a plan showing two of the machines side by side. Fig.,i17 is an elevation drawn to an enlarged scale of a star wheel for rotating the felly. Fig. 18 is a plan thereof, and Figs. 19 and 20 are an elevation and plan I respectively drawn to an enlarged scaleof a frame for carrying the said star wheel.

The form ofanode shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is the simplest and will serve when it is not desired to zinc the outer surface of the curved flangesof the felly and when considerable difierence in the thickness of the deposit in the channel of the felly, is permis- In this'casela'zinc strip curved to correspond with the felly, and having radial insulating plates threaded on it suffices.

1 is the fell 2 is the metal ring constituting the ano e and 4 is one of the insulatingplates provided with a slot 5.

It is essential that the length a of the insulating .plate should be smaller than the distance 6 between the curved flanges of the felly. The anode 2 is, as already explained, cut through at one place, the two ends are bent outward and may be'drawn together by meansof a screw or clamp9 after the" anode has been brought into position (Fig. 2). An anode of this kind is, very easily constructed butis not wholly free from objection. If a uniform zincing of the inner surface of the channel and also of the outer surface of the curved flanges is required, the aforesaid difliculties may Ibe avoided by adopting the form about to-be described short prismatic pieces 3 are made easily and accurately from flatsheet zinc by means of suitable bending: devices. In order to unite them to form a connected whole, theyare soldered side by side on' a fiat flexible zinc strip 2, upon which the insulating-plates 4 provided with slits 5 are at the same time threaded in radial positionas in the firstdescribed form. Thus between each two anode sections there is an insulating plate which completely insures a proper position of the anode. This actionofthe insulating plates is. supported by an upwardly bent flange 8 of the anode section,- which is unim-- portant so .far as the actual zincing is concerned. The insulating plates have a straight side 6 and a, nose 7. The first rests against thebottom of the channel of the folly 1 while the latter engages in the groove formed by the curved flange of.the felly. In the form just described, the several sections of the anode are soldered to a zinc strip. In the modification described with reference to Figs. 7 to 13 the anode is made from a single zinc stripby slitting the strip at suitable places and bending the edge to the form desired of the finished anode. This necessitats provision for mounting the insulating plates on the'finished anode which would be impossible if the plates were constructed, in the manner already described, with a closed slot. Instead of this the plates are recessed on one side so that they can be pushed over the anode ring in a radial direction at the places where the slits are situated, that is to saywhere there is a space between two of the curvedpieces of the ring. The insulating plates are held firmly on the ring by means of suitable key pieces for which purplates 15 are recessed on one side, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and the recess is notched as at 16. When the insulating plates have been placed on the anode ring 11 by inserting them inthe slits 12, a strip 17 is caused to engage in the notches 16 so as to fix the plates in position.

A separate key might be used for each plate, but it is advantageous to use a key conunon to a large number of the plates.

Whichever form of key is adopted it ina be of insulating material (fiber or celluloidg or of zinc or other metal of which the anode may be constructed.

Proceeding now to describe-the machine illustrated in Figs. 1420, 18 is the felly, 19 the anode resting therein, 20 vtheaxle around which the felly turns. 21 is the ratchet wheel and 22 a star wheel having six arms and made of wood or like insulating material. This star wheel serves-to connect the felly on the one hand with the axle 20 and on the other hand With the ratchet wheel 21, as shown in. Figs. 17 and 18. Three of the arms 23 of this star wheel 22 are constructed in a particular manner as indicated in Fig. 17 on.

trically with the axle 20. Thisbrass plate is advantageously provided with a short pin 26 which engages in the valve hole of the felly so that the latter .is with certainty rotated together with the star wheel. Embracing each of the three: arms is a wooden fork 27 screwed to the arm; on the upper surface .of these three wooden forks is screwed a ratchet wheel 21 which is constructed asa ring to avoid unnecessary weight. Besides these three exchangeable main arms which serve to connect the felly with the ratchet wheel there are three auxiliary arms 28 which can not be exchanged; these arms complete thestar and like the main arms they have at the lower part of their outer ends beak-like extensions which serve as supports on which the anode is laid when the felly is inverted or exchanged for" another. The auxiliary arms 28 are, made to fit the smallest felly. which can be treated in the apparatus.

' The exchange of the felly is much facilitated if the star wheel with the felly can be raised above the level of the liquid in the bath. In any case there mustfbe free space above the felly for effecting the exchange. In particular the upper bearing or the pawl with its carrier must not be in the way. With this end in view the upper bearing 29 of the axle 20 consisting of a metal plate is fixed to a wooden arm 30, which v can be raised by turning it on a pin 31 mounted at the rear side of the bath and is balanced in its raised position by a counter-weight 32. The rope for this purpose extends obliquely rearward and upward so that the arm .in its lower position. has the greater weight. For

conducting the current the arm 30 has contact s rings-33 which are soldered or screwed to the bearing plate and in the lower position of the 'arm make contact with the upper part of the axle, which for its part is connected electrically with the brass plate of the third main arm 23 by the lead 34. The

bearing plate 30 carrying the contact springs is connected with'the negative pole of the source of current througha flexible rope 35,

which from the point of connection outward extends along the length of the arm.

" From what has been saidit-will be seen that the axle must extend through the beam In order that the bearing arm. notwithstanding this may be turned down over the end of the axle,- the latter isconed ing plate.

upward and the bearing arm has a downwardly cone'd bore. In Fig. 15 the bearing arm has been :omitted to make the figure more clear.

As soon as the bearing arm hasbeen turned up .the star wheel 21 can be raised, provided.

that the pawl 36 hasfbeenpreviously taken? out of the way. To render this possible the pawl is arranged\as follows: It is-under action of a spring and can turn about a vertical axis on the underside of a second wooden arm 37 which is pushed'by an eccentric 39 mounted on a shaft 38 extending along the rear side of the bath and is returned to its original position by the action of --a weight. At its forward end this arm 37 carries on its underside a roller 41, supported on a bracket 42, fixed .to the bath. At its rear end the arm 37 is carried by a vertical link 43 which can oscillate about a horizontal axle 44 fixed to thecasing of. the bath. Theupper axle 45 which connects the wooden frame 37 with the link 43 carries in. aslot in the link a freely mounted roller 46 which receives the pressure of the eccentric 39. The arm can be turned up arodnd the axle 45 like the bearing arm 30. Also like the latter it is provided with a counter-weight 40 connected with it by a cord extending obliquely upbearing for the axle 20, but in its highest" position becomes a carrying frame for the star wheel 22.

Referring to Figs. 19 and 20, the carry ing frame comprises four posts 48 within which are four rails 49 standing on edge and constituting a rectangular frame which forms a bed for thestar-wheel This frame is transversedby a rail 50 lying flat'which in the middle carries a stepped bearing 51 for the axle of the star wheel. At their upper part the. posts are connected together in pairs by two cross rails 52 to whichare attached the two ropes 53 having counter weights, 54. The cross rails also carry two weights 55 of iron or lead which I keep theframe on vthe bottomof the-bath their common axle 57 and each firmly clamped at one place on its periphery.- When now the carrying frame with the star 1 wheel and the anode is resting in the bath it is buoyedv up considerably, which obviously does not happen when it is in its raised position. .In both positions, however,

the movable parts must. be secured. For I this purpose on rollers 57 are-fixed two arms ders possible even, when a large'number of to which a weight 58 is attached. This weight acts in thelower position of the frame against the counter-weights 54 which will in that position be tooheavy andsupports the counter-weights in the elevated 30 position of the frame so that they are deposited firmly on two stop brackets 59. The

rectangular carrying frame is only constructed of such aheight and the star wheel, fixed on its axle at such aheight that between the star wheel and the frame when the latter is in its lowest position there is suflicient play to permit of free rotation of the star wheel wlth certainty.

The current is conducted to the anode through a suitably insulated lead soldered to it as seen'in Fig. 16. at 60. The lead serves also for holding the anode stationary, preferably being fixed for thispurpose at 61 on the front post .18 of the frame;

The machine hereinbefore described rensimultaneouslyoperated galvanizing baths are collected together in one installation'to invert the felly in each separate. bath without diflicultyand to transfer the anode from one groove ,of the channel into the other groove; also, after the whole operation is complete, to exchange the felly for another. The. baths are inserted in the circuit in seriesand when the operation of one is completed-that one can be separately short cir-' cuited.- V I Having thus described my invention and flanges which consists in first electro-plating the inner surface of onecurved flange and a .the portion of the outer, surface of such flangevwhich comes in contact with the tire of the wheel and then electro-plating the inner surface of the othercurved flange and I the portion of "the outer surface of such flange which comes in contactwith the tire of the .wheel.

4. An anode for use-in electrolytically depositing metal on wheel fellies having inwardly curved flangesorlike hollow bodies, comprising an annular metal strip adapted to lie in the channel formed by the inwardly curved flanges and insulating plates carried by the said strip and adaptedto act as distance pieces between the said strip and the inner surface'of the said channel.

5. An anode for electrolytically depositing metal on-wheel fellies having inwardly 'curved'fianges. or other like hollow bodies,

comprising an annular strip of metal, having laterally extended portions associated therewith of such form that their surfaces are substantially parallel with those on which metal is to be deposited, and distance pieces of insulating material carried by the said strip;

- 6. An anode for electrolytically depositing metal on a wheel felly having inwardly curved flanges or like hollow bodies, com prising. an annular metal strip, having a series of laterally extended portions of such form that their surfaces are substantially parallel with those on which metal is to be deposited, insulating distance pieces carried by said 'metal' strip and flanges 011 the said laterally extended portions adapted to support the said insulating pieces.

7 An anode for electrolytically depositing metal on wheel fellies having inwardly curved flanges or like hollow bodies comprising an annular metal strip, slits in each edge of the said strip at right angles thereto and in line with each other, the portions between the the best means I know of carrying the same s slits on one edge of thestrip being curved into practical effect I claim -1. The process of electrolytically depositing metal on the surface of wheel fellies so that when the anode is in place, the sur- 'face of this side of the strip may be substantially parallel to the surface on which 'which come in contact.with ;the tire which metal is to be deposited, the part'between I consists in first elect'roplatingthe surface the slits on the other edge of the strip to and in line with each other, the portionsbetween the slits on one edge of the strip being curved so that when the anode is in place the surface of this side of the strip may be substantially parallel to the surface-- on' which metal is to be deposited, the part between the slits on the other edge ofthe strip being turned to form flanges and distance pieces of insulating material recessed so that they can be pushed over the said Strip in the said slits.

9. An anode for electrolytically depositing metal on wheel fellies having inwardly curved flanges or like hollow bodies comprising an annular metal strip,'slits in each edge of the said strip at'right angles thereto and in line with each other, the portions between the slits on one edge of the strip being curved so that when the anode is in place the surface of this side of the strip may be substantially parallel to the surface on which metal is to be deposited, the parts between the slits-on the otheredge of the strip being turned to form flanges, distance pieces of insulating material recessed so that they can be pushed over the said strip in the said slits, notches in the said recesses and a locking device adapted" to engage in the saidnotches tn fix "the said distance pieces in position.

10. In apparatus for electrolytically depositing metal on a rotation body, an anode having an annular surface substantially parallel throughout to the surface of the body to be treated, insulating distance pieces carried by the anode and engaging the rotation body to maintain the anode at the.

- proper distance from the surface of themtation body and means for mechanically rotating the said rotation body relatively to the said anode.

11 In combination, an anode for depositing metal ona wheel felly having inwardly curved flanges, the said anode consisting of e an annular metal strip, surfaces on the said strip substantially parallel to the surfaces.

on which metal is to be deposited, distance pieces of insulating material carried by the said strip and means for mechanically r0- tating the said felly relatively to the said anode. 1

- 12. In combination, an electrolytic de positing bath, means for supporting. and rotating a wheel felly horizontally in the said bath, an annular anode co-axia'lly arranged around the said felly, distance pieces of msulating material carried by the said anode and means for rotating the said felly relatively to the said anode.

13. In combination, an electrolytic bath, means for supporting and rotating a wheel" felly horizontally in the said bath, a star wheel supporting. the said felly and also adapted to turn about the vertical axis, an annular anode arranged co-axially with the 'said felly, insulating distance pieces carried by the said anode and means for rotating the said star wheel and felly relatively to the said anode.

14. In combination, an electrolytic bath, a star wheel adapted to turn about a 'vertical axis in the said bath, and adapted to carry a wheel felly so as'to turn therewith, an annular anode arranged coaxially with the said felly, ried by'the said anode, a ratchet wheel fixed to the said star wheel, an oscillating pawl adapted to drive the said ratchet wheel and means for holding stationary the said anode.

15. In combination, an electrolytic bath, a frame resting in the said bath and adapted to be raised therefrom and lowered thereinto, a vertical axle mounted to turn in'the said frame, a star wheel fixed to the said axle, and adapted to carry a wheel felly insulating distance pieces carso as to turn therewith, an annular anode arranged co-axiallywith the said felly, insulated distance pieces carried by the said anode and means for rotating the said star wheel and felly relatively to the said anode.

16. In combination, an electrolytic bath, a frame resting in-the said bath and adapted to be raised therefrom and lowered theresaid frame at its lower end, an arm hinged into, a vertical axle mounted to turn in the p to the said bath so as. to turn in a vertical plane, a bearing for the upper end of the said axle carried by the said arm, a star wheel fixed to the said axle, adapted to carry a wheel felly,. an annular anode arranged co-axially with the said felly, insulating distance pieces carried by the said anode and. means for rotating said star wheel and felly relatively to the said anode.

17. In combination, an electrolytic bath, a frame resting in the said bath and adapted to be raised therefrom and lowered thereinto, counter-weights attached to the said frame, an. axle journaled at its lower end in the said frame, an arm hinged to the said bath so as to turn in a vertical plane, a bearing for the upper end of the said axlecarried by the said arm, a star wheel fixed to the said axle, adapted to carry a wheel felly, an annular anode arranged coaxially to the said felly, insulating distance pieces carried by the said anode, a ratchet wheel fixed to the said star Wheel, an arm hinged to the said bath and adapted to turn in a vertical plane, a pawl carried by v as the said arm and adapted t6 engage the said.

ratchet Wheel so as to drive -it, means for oscillating the said arm'carrying the pawl so as to drive the ratchet Wheel and means When the said frame is raised for'counteras my invention, I have signed my name in presence of two witnesses, this first day 11 of July 1913; Y

HEINRICH WILHELM BOTZ.

Witnesses:

- JOSEPH PFE'IFFER, GEORG SGHAMBAGH. 

